The Supporting People strategy aims to protect the people in Halton who are most at risk. SIMON DRURY takes a look at the implications of the strategy.

NEW measures have been announced to protect the most vulnerable people living in Runcorn and Widnes.

The homeless, mentally ill and drug addicts and alcoholics will all be helped under Halton Borough Council's five-year Supporting People strategy.

One of the most vulnerable groups covered by the new strategy is the elderly.

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has forecast an increase of 40% in the number of people aged 65 in Halton by 2013 and an 11% rise in over 75-year-olds.

Halton's population is falling and so in years to come OAPs will former an ever larger proportion of the population.

There are currently 23 residential homes in Halton with a total of 650 available beds.

In addition, most sheltered housing schemes are already fully occupied, so the strategy calls for the construction of more sheltered housing and accommodation for the frail.

There are currently more than 7,700 people with a physical or sensory disability in Halton, with the majority in need of care or support.

More than 520 people in the borough have learning disabilities. A central plank of the new strategy is ensuring they can live as independently as possible and every effort will be taken to 'combat discrimination'.

The strategy also aims to ensure people with learning disabilities and their families have greater choice and control over where they can live and are able to 'lead full and purposeful lives within their community and to develop a range of friendships, activities and relationships'.

The numbers of people suffering from a mental illness is also expected to rise over the next half decade.

The strategy document says: 'Mental health problems are common and widely misunderstood. Most people experience some sort of mental distress at some time in their life and not all are able to deal with it without help.

'Health statistics indicate that at any one time, one adult in six has a mental health problem, though these will vary in severity.

'These include anxiety, personality disorders and psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. It is likely that there is a degree of understating of mental health issues due to them not always being recognised.

'Halton's primary aim is to help people to live in their own community and reduce the need for admission to hospital.'

There are currently 200 people with mental health problems, aged 18-64, in Halton who are being helped to live at home by a combination of supported accommodation, rehabilitation centres and community psychiatric nurses.

Ex-prisoners, many of whom suffer from some form of mental illness, are also classified as a vulnerable group by the strategy.

A spokesman said: 'Recent figures indicate that 58% of all prisoners are reconvicted within two years. The figure increases to 72% for male prisoners aged 18-20, but access to secure accommodation reduces the risk of offending by a fifth.

'One third of incarcerated offenders lose their home while in prisoners. Most prisoners have a history of social exclusion and very poor life skills. More than 70% of prisoners suffer from at least two mental health disorders and two thirds were using drugs prior to imprisonment and almost a third have attempted suicide in the past.'

Figures showed that in 2004 there were more than 370 ex-cons on probation in Runcorn and Widnes.

The UK has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Western Europe. Teenage mums are statistically less likely to complete their education and find employment. They are more likely to find themselves bringing up their children in poverty.

The Government recommends teenage parents under 18, who cannot live with a family or partner, would be placed in supervised semi-independent housing with support, rather than alone in a house or flat.

The strategy reveals there is a growing number of single homeless people in the borough.

A spokesman said: 'Many single homeless people become homeless due to a lack of ability to cope with the pressures of independent living.'

In 2002-2003 the number of single homeless people increased by 56%. The largest increase was among 16 and 17-year-olds.

The spokesman added: 'There has been a 175% increase in homelessness in Halton over the past four years, with the largest increases being families and young, vulnerable people.

'There is a disproportionately high homelessness problem in the North West when compared to most other areas of the country and a subsequent high reliance upon the use of temporary accommodation for homeless people.

'Young people who become homeless usually do so because they have failed to settle after leaving care or because they have left their parental home after disputes.

'There are often many other problems linked to their homelessness, including physical and sexual abuse from parents, alcohol and drug problems and mental health problems.

'Their parents may have poor parenting skills and new partners and step-parents can also lead to disputes with young people.

'Family problems may also be related to a young person's behaviour, including aggression and violence, problems at school, criminal activities and running away from home.'

Within Halton, 112 units of supported accommodation are offered to single homeless.'

However, all the accommodation is based in Runcorn and there is concern that living in temporary accommodation away from support networks increases the likelihood of isolation.

The report says: 'Halton has a responsibility, along with other authorities, to do more than simply provide accommodation after people have become homeless. It is recognised that early action can prevent homelessness.

'Also, formerly homeless people who are rehoused may struggle to maintain their tenancies without support.

'Halton's homeless strategy provides a comprehensive network of services within the borough which work together to help prevent home-lessness and to provide suitable and secure homes along with any necessary support.'

The needs of women at risk of domestic violence will also be analysed under the new strategy.

The report says: 'Domestic violence can be defined as actual, threatened or fear of violence against a person. Violence may be emotional, physical. sexual. psychological or may involve financial abuse. A quarter of women will experience some sort of domestic violence in their lives. Domestic violence incidents remain a significant problem accounting for 8% of crime reported to the police.

'Domestic violence brings with it direct impacts on the health of children. Halton District Women's Aid averages 90% occupancy throughout the year and reports high demand for its services.

'This facility is open to women at risk of violence from other areas.'

The latest figures for Halton show that 12% of homeless people were women fleeing domestic violence.